Racing: Three British runners left in French classic

Gerard Butler's Elusive City, the Barry Hills-trained Makhlab and Saeed bin Suroor's Bourbonnais were the only British-trained runners left in Sunday's French 2000 Guineas (Poule d'Essai des Poulains) at Longchamp after the overnight defection of Sagitta 2000 Guineas third Norse Dancer. Dermot Weld has left in Evolving Tactics, while Aidan O'Brien can choose from Alberto Giacometti, Dalcassian, Catcher In The Rye, Balestrini and France.

There are five British acceptors in the fillies' equivalent, the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. They are Ed Dunlop's Nasij, Mick Channon's Londonnetdotcom, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Crystal Star, John Gosden's Pearl Dance and Godolphin's Anyaas.

The Longchamp card also features the Prix Lupin, a race which could feature Godolphin's Graikos and New South Wales, Dunlop's Battle Chant and Brendan Duke's Skelligs Rock. O'Brien has left in Brian Boru, The Great Gatsby and Delacroix, along with Alberto Giacometti, Dalcassian, Balestrini and Catcher In The Rye.

But precise running plans for the Ballydoyle horses this weekend have yet to be finalised, according to O'Brien.